Holidaymakers new to cruising may not know that there are different types of Caribbean cruises and each itinerary offers a different holiday experience. Depending on what you are looking for there will be a specific one that suits your needs, whether that be a Western, Southern, or Eastern Caribbean cruise they all differ in their own ways and are suited to a wide range of people.
Eastern Vs Western Vs Southern Caribbean, What’s the difference?
There are some important differences between the three itineraries that cruisers should know about before booking their Caribbean getaway. When choosing between an eastern, western, or southern Caribbean cruise is a lot to do with the traveller’s personal preference and what type of holiday they are looking for. Carry on reading to find out what it is that makes each of these itineraries different, and everything that each route has to offer.
Eastern Caribbean Cruise – What you can expect
Eastern, western, and southern Caribbean cruises all have their own quirks about them and offer different types of holiday experiences, each itinerary has its own characteristics. The Eastern Caribbean cruise will offer a new destination most days due to the islands being in such close proximity therefore, you will most likely be waking up in a new part of the Caribbean each day of your holiday.
Some popular Eastern Caribbean ports include San Juan, Puerto Rico, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, St Thomas, and the Virgin Islands. Also depending on what cruise you are sailing your cruise itinerary might include a visit to the cruise company’s private islands exclusively for their guests such as Royal Caribbean’s ‘Perfect Day at Coco Cay’ or Holland America’s ‘Half Moon Cay’.
If you are a keen shopper then the Eastern Caribbean would be ideal for you as these locations offer some of the best duty-free shopping paired with beautiful white-sand beaches where you will be able to relax with a rum punch in hand. One of the many shore excursions you could do whilst visiting ports in the eastern Caribbean is the half-day Champagne Catamaran Sail, Snorkel & Beach tour which is a great way to explore the island of St Thomas or if you fancy catching some amazing marine life then try out the Reef Snorkel & Stingray Safari in Grand Turk.
Sailing around the eastern Caribbean you will find for any of these itineraries that you can expect warm, sunbathing weather and you will want to spend most of your time out on the sun deck relaxing and taking in the perfect weather and view of the Caribbean, whichever part you are in.
Western Caribbean Cruise – What you can expect
The itineraries for the Western Caribbean are popular for outdoor adventures. Here you will experience some of the most memorable snorkelling in the world at Grand Cayman. If you’re after a more thrilling and exhilarating experience then have a go on a zip line through the jungle at Cozumel or take a shore excursion that entails climbing the world-famous Bobsled Jamaica & Dunn’s River Falls then you will ride a Jamaican bobsled soaring through the rainforest which can be done at Falmouth or Montego Bay, Jamaica.
If you are looking for a cruise that includes a few more relaxing days at sea rather than a different port each day then a Western Caribbean cruise could be the one for you. Due to the western Caribbean islands being further apart a western cruise usually provides guests with a few more sea days in between ports where they can enjoy onboard activities, make holiday friends, and enjoy the sunshine on the top deck.
The typical itinerary of a Western Caribbean cruise would include stops in Mexico. On a Western Caribbean cruise, you can experience the breathtaking architecture, coastline, and historical Myan ruins which can be found easily in Costa Maya as the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins are not very far from the port.
Southern Caribbean Cruise – What you can expect
The Southern Caribbean itineraries will usually be longer than a week and will experience a combination of visits to the ABC islands such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. This type of Caribbean cruise may also visit the remarkable St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, or the Grenadines. If you are a nature or history lover then this type of cruise is for you as these destinations offer the best nature walks and history there is.
Experience St Lucia’s never-ending green rainforests, learn about its colonial history, or take a visit to the dramatic volcanic Pitons mountains which are a must-see. Whilst in St Lucia try out the historical island extravaganza tour. The only downside with a Southern Caribbean cruise would be that the flight to get to your departing port may be longer and may include connecting flights.
During a Southern Caribbean cruise, you will get to enjoy the peaceful islands of the Grenadines, along with making use of the beaches’ clear waters and this sort of cruise would be a quiet-seeking beach lover’s dream. The longer itineraries will be a history buff’s dream as they can take in all of the long-lived histories in each port and experience the transit of the Panama Canal, through locks that, by gravity alone, raise ships over Central America and down again on the other side. Southern Caribbean itineraries are usually busy and complete with island hopping which is perfect for thrill-seekers.
When is the best time to visit the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean?
The peak season in the Eastern Caribbean is December through to April when you will experience warm, dry weather along with calm seas which makes this time perfect weather for cruising.
The best time to visit the Western Caribbean is December through to March as this is when you will find the best weather and the most people as it is peak season here over these months.
For the Southern Caribbean, the best time to go is in the summer months of July, August, and on to September. Although the peak months are the most popular due to it being the best time to go and therefore it being more expensive to go at this time.
If you prefer a bargain cruise holiday then going to the Caribbean in the quieter months may help with your savings, plan ahead or book early to get the best offers. Book an early shoulder season cruise in May to take advantage of the best weather with fewer crowds and cheaper prices. Late April and May are an in-between season, where you will find that the ships and islands are not as crowded, but the weather is still good so depending on preference some cruisers may prefer this.
Where you will be boarding the cruise ship from for the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean?
If you prefer to have more of an option on where you board your cruise from then a Western Caribbean itinerary may be best for you as cruisers are able to board their ship from a variety of cities. Typically you will embark on your Western Caribbean cruise from port cities in Florida, such as Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral. The Texan port of Galveston, as well as New Orleans in Louisiana, are also popular jumping off points for Western Caribbean sailings.
Eastern Caribbean cruises normally depart from Florida’s ports, or San Juan, Puerto Rico. An Eastern Caribbean cruise itinerary provides a bit more variety and usually includes more stops than a Western cruise, this sort of cruise may start out and end with a day at sea if it departs from Florida. Finally, a Southern Caribbean cruise itinerary usually departs from San Juan, Panama, Barbados, or Florida.
Overall the right Caribbean itinerary that you should choose is completely up to, you, your preferences and the preferences of the others that you are going on holiday with. The right Caribbean itinerary for you depends on what kind of holiday you are looking for, whether that is relaxing, adventurous, or a historic holiday. No matter which itinerary you go for though, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable holiday wherever you go in the Caribbean as each place is fantastic and unique in its own way.
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